Sumatran Kettle Dutch Colonial Era c1900

[kahnjar1]

A nice Sumatran Kettle from the Minangkabau People, Padang Highlands, West Sumatra.
This kettle shows the early style of brass/copperware from Sumatra. The decoration is imposed on the surface rather than incised as it is with Javanese copperware.
The water is heated by charcoal over which the base stands, and there is still charcoal residue inside the base of this one. Height of Kettle is approx 7" (18cm) not including the handle.
Also shown below is a JAVANESE Ghendi (water bottle). You can see that the decoration of the Ghendi is incised rather than imposed as is the Sumatran Kettle. This Ghendi would be used in the home rather than taken out. For daily use an unglazed earthenware Ghendi woud be used. 9 1/2" tall (24cm)
Both these items came from what is now Indonesia in the early 20th century.

[Sajen]

Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29775&highlight=kendi

Best regards,
Detlef

[Maurice]

Very nice, and underestimated unfortunately!

Here some photos of brass kettle from Upland of Padang and Javanese kêndie.
(Source Prof T.J. Bezemer & Jasper en Pirngadie)

Regards,
Maurice

[kahnjar1]

Thanks for the link Detlef. I like your Sumatran Ghendi and will have to keep my eyes open for one to go with my Javanese one.
The culture of the Minangkabau is interesting....quite different particularly in the lineage where the husband seems to be treated as a guest in the family rather than the head as in most cultures.
Stu

[Sajen]

Hi Stu,

Yes, the Minangkabau are a matriarchy society, still today also when most today are muslims.
Your kendi from Java seems to have a lot of repairs, it could be older as turn of the centuries.

Regards,
Detlef

[kahnjar1]

HI Detlef,
Yes I had thought that my Ghendi MIGHT be older than 1900ish. I have read somewhere that these were often repaired several times, but I have no way to establish more accurately how old mine might be. The person I bought it from told me that "it could be quite old" as her family, going back to great grandparents, had travelled extensively and had lived in Java "for a very long time".
Stu

[A. G. Maisey]

Just a note on the names of these items.

The kettle at the beginning of this thread is in Javanese, a "ceret".

The word "ghendi" should be "gendhi", "gendhi" is a regional variation of "kendhi" and a kendhi is specifically an earthenware water caraffe with a spout. Spoken, the two words both sound pretty much the same, it is probably only the spelling that differs.

In respect of decorative enhancement, in Jawa embossing & engraving are both commonly used in the ornamentation of metal objects.

[kahnjar1]

Just a note on the names of these items.

The kettle at the beginning of this thread is in Javanese, a "ceret".

The word "ghendi" should be "gendhi", "gendhi" is a regional variation of "kendhi" and a kendhi is specifically an earthenware water caraffe with a spout. Spoken, the two words both sound pretty much the same, it is probably only the spelling that differs.

In respect of decorative enhancement, in Jawa embossing & engraving are both commonly used in the ornamentation of metal objects.

Thank you Alan

[Maurice]

I have bought a dated kettle from Java (1859).
Rather rare to find I suppose, as I almost never find these on the market.

[kahnjar1]

Very nice!